Disposable fluid changing kit and method of disposing of the same

ABSTRACT

A fluid change kit for disposing of fluids, such as automotive fluids, includes a container at least partially filled with an absorbent. The fluid change kit typically includes a biodegradable box and an absorbent selected from peat moss and coconut coir for absorbing the fluid. A liner may also be included. By absorbing the fluid, the fluid change kit can be disposed of in a conventional landfill.

1. RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/329,659, filed Oct. 16, 2001, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/374,230, filed Apr. 19, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 2. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a disposable fluid changing kitand to a method for changing fluids in an automobile. More particularly,the present invention relates to a disposable automotive fluid changingkit which enables the fluid to be drained directly into the containerand disposed of without recycling. The present invention further relatesto method of disposing of the oil containing change kit.

[0004] 3. State of the Art

[0005] Even though society has become increasingly efficient,individuals must still spend time for routine maintenance on theirvehicles. Such routine maintenance includes changing the motor oil andother fluids in the vehicle. While habits vary between individuals, mostautomotive companies suggest changing the oil every three months orthree to five thousand miles. Thus, at least four times per year, aperson in required to have a car serviced.

[0006] Many vehicle owners are stranded at service centers while waitingfor the maintenance to be finished. Others are inconvenienced byresorting to a courtesy van or finding another source of transportationfor work while the vehicle is being serviced. These individuals not onlywaste time driving to the service center, but are also confined to thedealer's service schedule. For those managing the maintenance of arental or service fleet, this inconvenience can also be a significantlogistical problem.

[0007] Although many “quick lube” businesses have been established toperform quick oil (and other fluid) changes, these businesses do notmake house calls. In other words, individuals employing these servicesmust still travel to the “quick lube” location. Thus, this presents thesame problems and basic inconveniences of taking time out of the day totravel to the quick lube center and wait for the vehicle to be serviced.

[0008] Many automobile owners would prefer to perform these periodicfluid changes themselves for a number of reasons. First, the expense ofperforming the change is generally less than paying a service station,etc., to perform the work. Additionally, some individuals simply enjoythe hands-on work and the satisfaction of taking care of theirautomobile. This is especially true of those who have classicautomobiles or automobiles that have been customized. Furthermore, if anautomotive service center which performs oil and other fluid changes isnot nearby, it can take less time to simply change the oil for oneself.

[0009] For those who may wish to change their own oil for economicreasons, there are several drawbacks. First, the owner must crawlunderneath the car while it is parked in the garage or on the drivewayin order to gain access to the engine oil drain plug and oil filter (orother fluid plugs). The short distance between the bottom of the vehicleand the surface on which it is parked make this a very difficult task.

[0010] Secondly, most home oil changing methods currently availableconsist of some type of apparatus into which the oil is drained. Thismethod then requires the vehicle owner to dispose of a container full ofsloshing, dirty motor oil.

[0011] In order to comply with most local governmental regulations, theoil or other fluids drained from an automobile must be transported to arecycling center or other establishment that accepts used automotivefluids for recycling. Because of the potential hazard of spilling theused oil in the car or on one's clothes while transporting it to berecycled, there is a strong tendency among home oil changers to foregorecycling and simply dump the oil, either in a garbage can, down a drainor onto the ground. The oil from a single oil change can contaminate upto one million gallons of drinking water if not disposed of properly.Because of the great risk such fluids pose to the environment, improperdisposal of oil is illegal.

[0012] To avoid illegally disposing of oil, used motor oil is frequentlysimply stored in the garage or a shed. While most intend to properlydispose of the oil, etc. the oil often sits for months and poses ahealth hazard for children who might drink or otherwise play with theoil. In addition, it presents a risk that it might spill and run intothe ground or down a storm drain, causing further contamination. As aresult, it is estimated that less than 10% of the used motor oil forhome oil changes in United States is actually recycled at designatedfacilities. Thus, a large amount of oil is unaccounted for. This oil iseither being dumped—creating environmental damage, or storedimproperly—creating health risks for children and pets.

[0013] Presently, there is not generally available a method fordisposing of motor oil and other automotive fluids which is convenient,safe and easy to use. Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive, simpleand relatively clean method for changing and disposing of used motor oiland other automotive fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for disposing of used automotive fluids which isrelatively inexpensive and easy to use.

[0015] The present invention involves using a natural absorbent in acontainer into which the used automotive fluid can be drained so thatthe absorbent captures the oil to substantially eliminate leakage of theoil.

[0016] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the container isat least partially filled with peat moss. When the oil or otherautomotive fluid is drained into the peat moss, the peat moss absorbsthe fluid, thereby preventing it from leaking. In some locations, if theamount of peat moss in the container is sufficient to hold the fluidthat the container with no leakage, the container can be disposed of ina conventional land fill. Thus, the vehicle owner is able to legallydiscard the container in the trash. The peat moss holds the oilsufficiently that the oil is given time to be acted on by microbes withbiodegrade the oil, thereby preventing contamination of the soil andpreventing groundwater contaminating.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thecontainer is at least partially filled with coconut coir. Coconut coiris formed during the processing of coconuts husks. The coconut coir istraditionally discarded as a waste by-product of processing thecoconuts, although it is occasionally used as a soil supplement inagriculture. The tremendous volume of coconut coir that is produced as aby-product of coconut processing has always presented a disposal concernto coconut processors. The coconut coir is generally left in large pilesnear the location where the coconuts are processed. Piles of discardedcoconut coir present a potential hazard for the coconut industry as thepiles are a fertile habitat and breeding ground for species of beetleswhich are harmful to coconut trees.

[0018] Coconut coir, however, is extremely absorbent and is completelybiodegradable. Thus, it is an excellent material to use to absorb,store, transport and dispose of used motor oil. When a container full ofcoconut coir is placed under a vehicle and the oil drained into thecoir, the coir quickly absorbs the oil and retains it in a generally“solid” form. Once the oil has been absorbed by the coconut coir, thecontainer and its contents can be disposed of in traditional landfills.

[0019] In accordance with still another object of the invention, thecontainer has a plastic or other fluid impermeable liner. While the peatmoss or coconut coir will absorb the oil, etc., the liner preventsleakage in the event that all of the fluid is quickly dumped in onelocation. In other words, the liner provides additional time for theabsorbent to absorb the fluid and to prevent leakages.

[0020] After the oil is drained into the box, the top of the plasticliner is closed with a twist tie. The box is then closed and is readyfor disposal. Motor oil that has been drained into and absorbed by thecoconut coir can be disposed of at most landfills. This is because whenit is absorbed by the coconut coir, the motor oil is trapped by thecoconut coir and cannot migrate. Thus, it doesn't present the problem ofoffsite migration that motor oil in its liquid form presents.

[0021] The present invention also presents a biodegradable solution tothe problem of waste oil disposal. As pointed out before, because theoil is bound to the coconut coir, the entire box containing the coconutcoir and used motor oil can be disposed of in a landfill without dangerthat the oil will migrate offsite. Coconut coir is biodegradable and itis well known that naturally existing microbes can degrade hydrocarbons,such as oil. Therefore, the peat moss or coconut coir and oil (fluid,etc.) will break down over time in the landfill without offsitemigration of the fluid. This is in sharp contrast to the groundwater andsurface water contamination that has been caused by dumping used motoroil. Additionally, the container of coconut coir and used automotivefluids can be disposed of in the trash.

[0022] Because method and apparatus of the present invention provide arelatively simple, cheap and clean method for changing and disposing ofmotor oil, people who use this invention will have a greater tendency toproperly dispose of their used motor oil, rather than storing it intheir garages or dumping on the ground or down the drain. Thus, thisinvention represents an environmentally friendly method of changing anddisposing of motor oil.

[0023] Using coconut coir as a used motor oil receptacle also helpssolve the problem of disposing of coconut coir because it creates auseful market for an otherwise unmarketable waste byproduct from coconutprocessing. Using the waste coconut coir as a used motor oil receptacletherefore helps to eliminate the piles of coconut coir from the coconutprocessing sites where it tends to present disposal concern if unneededfor agricultural uses.

[0024] The present invention is also superior to traditional motor oilchanging methods in that it is completely disposable. One of theproblems with traditional motor oil changing methods is that even if theoil is recycled, the pan or other receptacle into which the oil wasdrained, stored and/or transported generally contains a film of oilresidue on its inside surfaces, and this contaminated container must bestored in the garage or other place in or near the house where it tendsto present a health hazard to children or others who might ingest theoil. At the very least, storing containers that have been contaminatedwith dirty oil is not aesthetically desirable. Because the presentinvention is disposable, all the oil and oil residue are disposed of andthere is no contaminated container left over to deal with.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the presentinvention involves burning the boxes containing used motor oil at asufficiently high temperature to minimize or remove any pollutants andto reduce any unburned residue to a very small amount of ash. The boxesare burned in an incinerator that is specially designed to burn theboxes at a very high temperature. The high temperature ensures that anypotential pollutants are completely consumed.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the used boxes are incinerated in theSMART ASH brand incinerator. The SMART ASH incinerator is manufacturedby ELASTEC, 121 Council St., Carmi, Ill. 62821. The SMART ASHincinerator utilizes a 55 gallon drum as the burn chamber. The drum isfilled with combustible material including paper, rags, wood or wasteoil mixed with coconut coir or peat moss. The only fuel required is thematerial to be incinerated.

[0027] The incinerator utilizes two electric high velocity blowers tocirculate large volumes of air in the burn chamber to increase the burntemperature and thus increase the burn rate. This, in turn, eliminatespollutants, and reduce volume of the remaining ash. Due to the hightemperature burn, the SMART ASH incinerator, or any other hightemperature incinerator, will sufficiently burn pollutants that theemissions satisfy EPA requirements for incinerating petroleum products.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, theincinerator is connected to the heating system of a building, such asthe retail automotive parts store or a service garage. As theincinerator burns the boxes of coconut coir (or peat moss) and usedmotor oil, a significant amount of heat is generated. Rather thenwasting the resultant heat, the heat from the burning boxes is capturedand used as a heat source for the building. Thus, instead of used motoroil raising recycling issues and generally being a burden on automobileparts stores, etc., the used motor oil can be used as a heat sourcewhich decreases the operating expenses of the store. This isparticularly beneficial for garages and the like which are remote fromrecycling centers which will accept used motor oil.

[0029] Incinerating the boxes containing the used motor oil in thismanner also solves the problem of adding more solid waste to our alreadyoverburdened landfills. Because most of the volume contained in thecoconut coir—cardboard box—used motor oil combination is converted togas and heat, only a very small percentage of the original volumeremains as ash. This ash can readily be discarded in a landfill withoutsignificantly adding to the solid waste disposal problem.

[0030] Further, this invention provides an actual positive incentive forretailers of motor oil to accept used motor oil. The oil comes in anessentially solid form as the motor oil is contained by the coconutcoir. Thus, the retailer does not face the problem of handling andstoring and transporting liquid motor oil with its attendant mess andrisk of spilling. Further, the retailer is not faced with the task offinding a recycler willing to take the used motor oil, or oftransporting the material for recycling to centers which may be veryremote from the retailer.

[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the motor oilneed not be received from the customer (or a service garage attached tothe store) in the boxes with coconut coir (or peat moss). Rather, motoroil can be received from customers in conventional containers. The motoroil can then be mixed with coconut coir and placed in the incineratordirectly or in a container. The coconut coir/motor oil mixture is thenincinerated, disposing of the oil and providing a potential heat sourcefor the store. Thus, the customer and garage or retailer is relieved ofthe burden of locating recycling facilities, and the business is furtherprovided with a mechanism for supplementing the heating of the business.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a consideration of the followingdetailed description presented in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0033]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid change kit formed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the fluid change kit and afragmented view of an automobile with the oil from the automobile beingdrained into the fluid change kit;

[0035]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the oil change kit with theliner closed to prevent escape of the fluid and absorbent;

[0036]FIG. 4 shows cut-away view of a drum holding boxes of used motoroil in accordance with one aspect of the principles of the presentinvention;

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an incinerator incorporatingthe drum of FIG. 4;

[0038]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a drum in accordance with analternate embodiment of the invention; and

[0039]FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a furnace system heated by anincinerator having boxes filled with used motor oil in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the variouselements of the present invention will be given numeral designations andin which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled inthe art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that thefollowing description is only exemplary of the principles of the presentinvention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the appended claims.

[0041] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of thefluid change kit, generally indicated at 10. The fluid change kittypically includes a container 14, a liner 18 and absorbent 22. Thecontainer 14 is preferably made from a biodegradable material, such ascardboard. The container will typically be taped closed at the point ofsale to prevent removal of the liner 18 and absorbent until the kit 10is ready for use.

[0042] While the liner 18 is optional, it is preferred to keep fluidfrom leaking from the container 14 until the absorbent has a chance toabsorb the oil, etc., and prevent is from mobilizing through the soil,etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the container couldalso be coated with materials to prevent leakage of the oil, etc., whileit is absorbed by the coconut coir or peat moss.

[0043] The absorbent is preferably formed from a highly absorbentnatural material such as peat moss or coconut coir, or mixturescontaining one or both of these materials. Coconut coir is the mostpreferred embodiment for several reasons. Unlike peat moss which is“mined” for a number of uses, coconut coir is a renewable resource.Rather than creating environmental damage, the use of coconut coiractually removes the excessive amounts of coir which are generated inthe processing of coconuts and which can become an ecological nuisance.Using the coconut coir has the double benefit of promoting responsibledisposal of oil, etc., and removing a waste byproduct from many tropicalareas.

[0044] In addition to the environmental benefits, coconut coir is simplya wonderful absorbent of oil. Coconut coir can absorb up to nine timesits own weight in oil. Thus, a relatively light weight amount of coconutcoir can absorb a considerable amount of oil. A container 14 which is 9inches by 12 inches by 5 inches filled about ⅔ full of coconut coir canreceive and hold up to six quarts of oil.

[0045] In use, the container 14 is opened and the liner is wrapped overthe flaps of the container as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid change kit 10is then slid under the oil pan, etc., of the automobile and the fluidreleased. The fluid drains from the automobile 30 into the coconut coiror peat moss 22 in the container 14 and is absorbed as shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] Once the oil, etc., has drained from the automobile 30, the plugcan be replaced and the fluid change kit 10 is pulled from under theautomobile. A twist tie or rubber band is then used to tie the liner 18closed as shown in FIG. 3. The liner 18 traps the oil, etc., and allowsthe absorbent 22 sufficient time to fully absorb the fluid.

[0047] In most locations, the container 14 and its contents can then bedisposed of in a traditional land fill or in the weekly trash pick-up.Because disposal with the fluid change kit is so easy, the likelihood ofcompliance increases significantly, and the risk that the oil, etc.,will be poured down the drain or otherwise improperly thrown away isreduced dramatically.

[0048] While disposing of the fluid change kit in a landfill isconvenient, it is not the best use of the fluid filled kit. Turning nowto FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective, partially cut-away view of adrum, generally indicated at 40. Disposed in the drum 40 is a pluralityof boxes 44. The boxes 44 are filled with a mixture of used motor oiland a natural material, such as coconut coir or peat moss. Coconut coiris preferred, both due to its absorbent capacity and the relative easewith which it burns.

[0049] The boxes 44 have been preferably filled with motor oil inaccordance with the method taught above. In the alternative, the boxescould be filled with coconut coir and then have motor oil which has beenbrought to an automotive supply store for disposal added thereto.

[0050] Typically the drum will be filled with about fifty pounds worthof boxes. Because they are in the drum, there is little likelihood ofoil leaking out of the boxes and contaminating the area even if far toomuch oil is poured into a box.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of anincinerator, generally indicated at 50, for use in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. The incinerator 50 includes a lid54 which is configured to rest on the open top of the drum 40. The lid54 preferably includes a plurality of clamps 58 to hold the lid to thedrum 40. While the SMART ASH incinerator is preferred, numerous otherincinerators can also be used.

[0052] The incinerator 50 also preferably includes a cart 62 which holdsthe barrel and holds a fan mechanism 66 which is typically powered by apower cord 70 connected to an A/C outlet. The fan forces air through atube 74 and into the drum 40 through the lid 54. The forced air causesintense heat to be generated from the fire. It also causes the materialsin the drum to be reduced significantly. Typically, the ash left overafter the burn is about 3 percent of the original volume. Thus, theeffect on land fills is dramatically reduced.

[0053] The incinerator 50 will typically burn about 50 pounds of wastein an hour and generate considerable heat. In addition to the mixture ofoil and coconut coir or peat moss, other materials can also be added toprovide heat and reduce waste. Such materials may include oil stainedrags, and other debris associated with servicing automobiles and thelike.

[0054] In order to take full advantage of the heat generated by burningthe oil/coconut coir mixture, the incinerator 20 is preferably connectedto duct work 80 or some other mechanism for directing the hot gassesemitted from the incinerator and using those gasses for heating an area.In colder climates, the hot gasses could be used to help heat the store,thereby reducing heating costs, while simultaneously reducing disposalcosts.

[0055] Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of adrum 40′. Rather than being filled with boxes, the drum is filled withcoconut coir 90 (or peat moss). When used motor oil is brought to thelocation, it is emptied into the coconut coir. The coconut coir 90absorbs the oil and prevents a spill from contaminating the area in theevent that the drum 40′ is accidentally turned over. Rather than oilflowing all over, the coconut coir 90 and oil mixture can simply bescooped back into the drum 40′ and burned in due course. This isparticularly advantageous to automobile service garages which conduct alarge number of oil changes. The coconut coir 90 keeps the oil frombeing an environmental hazzard until it is burned, and increases theheat generated during the burning process. That heat may then be used toreduce the cost of utilities for the business.

[0056] Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic view of afurnace, generally indicated at 100. The furnace 100 is powered by theincinerator 50. Air to be heated is drawn in through a blower 104 whichpasses the cold air through a heat exchanger 108, wherein the heat fromthe incinerator 50 warms the air. The warmed air is then passed througha heating duct 112 into the building. Because the air being circulatedfor heat is isolated from the exhaust of the incinerator, there islittle likelihood of any contaminants which might be present from beingaccidentally pumped into the building. A device such as that shown inFIG. 7 is available from Elastec, Inc., Carmi, Ill.

[0057] Using an incinerator 50 and furnace 100 such as the SMART ASH andSMART HEAT with the oil disposal boxes of the present invention isparticularly advantageous. Coconut coir is not only highly absorbent, itis also flammable when impregnated with oil. Thus, considerable heat canbe generated from the used motor oil, with little mess and with littlerisk of environmental contamination. This is far superior to the presentsystem in which a fraction of the motor oil changed by hobbyists, etc.is properly disposed of or recycled.

[0058] Thus there are disclosed an improved fluid change kit and methodof using the same. Furthermore, there is disclosed an improved methodfor disposing of used oil and other fluids of automobiles and the like.Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications whichcan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. For example the same methods can be used to dispose of fluidsfrom other vehicles including boats, ATVs and lawn mowers. The appendedclaims are intended to cover such modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid change kit for receiving used automotivefluids, the kit comprising: a container configured for holding anabsorbent; and an absorbent selected from the group consisting of peatmoss and coconut coir.
 2. The fluid change kit according to claim 1,wherein the absorbent comprises peat moss.
 3. The fluid change kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the absorbent comprises coconut coir. 4.The fluid change kit according to claim 1, further comprising a linerdisposed between the absorbent and the container.
 5. The fluid changekit according to claim 4, wherein the liner is configured to totallysurround the absorbent.
 6. The fluid change kit according to claim 4,further comprising a means for closing the liner.
 7. The fluid changekit according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a card boardbox.
 8. A device for use in draining and disposing of used motor oilwhich comprises a container at least partially filled with processedcoconut husks to absorb the oil.
 9. The device according to claim 8,wherein the container comprises a card board box.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 8, further comprising a liner.
 11. A method fordisposing of automotive fluids, the method comprising: selecting acontainer having an absorbent comprising at least one of the groupconsisting of coconut coir and peat moss; draining at least oneautomotive fluid into the absorbent; and disposing of the container andabsorbent.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the methodcomprises selecting a container which is formed of card board.
 13. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the method comprising selecting acontainer having a liner disposed inside so as to substantially surroundthe absorbent.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the methodcomprises closing the liner after draining the at least one automotivefluid into the absorbent and prior to disposal of the absorbent.
 15. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein disposing of the container andabsorbent comprises disposing of the container and absorbent in a landfill.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein disposing of thecontainer and absorbent comprises disposing of the container and theabsorbent in a trash can.
 17. The method according to claim 11, whereinthe fluid drained into the absorbent is motor oil.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the amount absorbent to fluid drainedinto the absorbent is between 2 and 9 time the weight of the absorbent.19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprisesburning the container and absorbent.
 20. The method according to claim19, wherein the method comprises burning the container and absorbent inthe present of forced air.
 21. A method for disposing of used motor oil,the method comprising forming a mixture of motor oil and a materialcomprising either coconut coir or peat moss and burning the mixture. 22.The method according to claim 21, wherein the method comprisessubjecting the mixture to forced air as it burns.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 21 wherein the motor oil is burned at a sufficientlyhigh temperature to keep pollutants below regulatory allowable levels.24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the motor oil and thematerial are disposed in a burnable container.
 25. The method accordingto claim 24, wherein the container is made of cardboard.
 26. Theinvention according to claim 25 wherein the oil is burned in a speciallydesigned incinerator that burns boxes containing coconut coir and oil ata sufficiently high temperature that the pollutants are substantiallyeliminated.
 27. The invention according to claim 21 wherein the methodfurther comprises utilizing heat from burning of the oil and coconutcoir to heat a building.
 28. A method for disposing of motor oil, themethod comprising: pouring the motor oil into a container and mixing themotor oil with coconut coir or peat moss so the motor oil issubstantially absorbed.
 29. The method for disposing of motor oil ofclaim 28, wherein the motor oil and coconut coir or peat moss is burned.30. The method for disposing of motor oil of claim 29, wherein thetemperature of the burning is increased by applying forced air.
 31. Themethod for disposing of motor oil of claim 29, wherein heat from theburning is used to warm a building.
 32. A method for disposing of fluidfrom a vehicle, the method comprising: pouring the fluid into coconutcoir to form a mixture; and burning the mixture.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 32, wherein the method comprises burning the mixturein an incinerator subject to forced air to reduce contaminant levels.34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the method comprisesburning the mixture in an incinerator subject to forced air to produceheat for heating a building or vehicle.
 35. The method according toclaim 32, wherein the mixture is formed in a combustible container. 36.The method according to claim 35, wherein the container is formed ofcardboard.
 37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the methodincludes burning the combustible container with the mixture.
 38. Themethod according to claim 32, wherein the fluid is motor oil which hasbeen drained from an automobile.